Rocker switch

ABSTRACT

A manually operated pivotally mounted switch actuator means selectively actuates a pair of rotary switches.

Unite Inventor Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee States Patent Charles L. Burns Frankfort, Ind.

Aug. 7, 1970 Jan. 4, 1972 P. R. Mallory 8: Co., Inc. Indianapolis, Ind.

ROCKER SWITCH 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

ILLS. Cl 200/172 A,

lint. Cll H0111 3/02 Field of Search 200/172 A, 172 R, 153 K, 50C

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,384,729 5/1968 Burris, Jr. et al 200/172 R 2,868,967 1/1959 Poppa et a1. 200/172 A X Primary ExaminerH. 0. Jones Attorneys-Richard H. Childress, Robert F. Meyer and Henry W. Cummings ACT: A manually operated pivotally mounted switch actuator means selectively actuates a pair of rotary switches.

PATENTEB ma 4 CHARLES L BURNS PM W ATTORNEY ROCKER swrrcu This invention relates to electrical control switches; more particularly, it relates to an actuator means for selectively operating a pair of rotary switches.

In the television industry there is a need for providing a pair of switches which cooperate with one another such that when one is switched to an off position the other is simultaneously switched to an on position. For example, it may be desirable to keep the filaments of a television warm even after the television has been turned ofi. This can best be accomplished by providing a pair of switches with a common switch actuator means, such that when one switch is turned off the other is automatically turned on.

The present invention is concerned with a rotary switch means and has as one of its objects, the provision of a pair of rotary switch means which can be selectively and simultaneously turned on and off.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of rotary switch means which can be simultaneously actuated through a common actuator means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of rotary switch means which can be simultaneously actuated through a common actuator means which includes a cam means having a pair of lobes cooperating with the rotary switch means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an actuator means which includes stop means limiting its travel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of rotary switch means which includes pivoting switch actuator means responsive to a common pivotally mounted actuator means.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is an isometric view of the rotary switch means with their common actuator means;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are rear views of the rotary switch means and the actuator means showing their cooperation in different modes of operation; and

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the lines 4-4 f of FIG. 1.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in combination a pair of rotary switch means and means selectively actuating the rotary switch means, said means including pivotally mounted actuator means, and manual actuator means coupled to the actuator means.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a pair of rotary switch means 10 and 12 carried by base member 14. R- tary switch means and 12 are the type generally known and used in the art and include a cup-shaped housing member 16, the open end of which is closed by cover 18. Disposed within the housing are the usual switch actuator means which open and close fixed and movable electrical contacts to complete electrical circuits to electrical terminals 20. With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the switch actuator means for each rotary switch includes spring loaded, pivotally mounted, spaced tangs 22, 22' and 23, 23'. Selective rotation of the tangs will cause actuation of movable contacts to selectively engage fixed contacts to complete the electrical circuit.

A common actuator means 24 is pivotally carried by base 14 member through bushing 16. Switch actuator means 24 includes a cam means 26 having a pair of cam lobes 28 and 28' adapted to engage the space between the tangs of the individual switch actuator. Also, included as part of the switch means is a cap 30 for manual operation of the switch actuator means. Cap 30 includes actuator faces 30 and 30 which intersect each other to form an obtuse angle between the faces. Switch actuator means 24 also includes a stop means 32. Stop means 32 includes an aperture 34 in base 14 adapted to receive a post 36 extended from cam 26. This limits the amount of rotational travel of the switch actuator means 24. Further the stop means is located such that when the switches have been thrown, the tang opposite the one actuated will be biased against the cam lo e such that there Wlll be no lost motion in the next or opposite actuation.

In operation, and referring to FIG. 2, actuator face 30' has been depressed inwardly, cam lobe 28 has actuated tang 22 to the point where rotary switch means 10 has been actuated and the tang 22' has been overthrown to leave the cam lobe 28'. Likewise, lobe 28 has engaged tang 23 to the point where switch means 12 has been actuated such that tang 23 has been overthrown and left lobe 28. In FIG. 3 actuator face 30' has been depressed such that the opposite tangs 22 and 23' have been actuated to throw the switch with the tangs leaving the cam lobes after the switch has been thrown.

Thus, there is described a combination of a pair of rotary switch means actuated through a common switch actuator means which is neat, and compact, and which very effectively provides for the simultaneous operation of the switching.

I claim:

I. In combination:

a. a pair of rotary switch means,

b. means selectively actuating said rotary switch means including pivotally mounted cam means having a pair of cam lobes cooperating with said rotary switch means, and

c. manual actuator means coupled to said pivotally mounted cam means.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said pivotally mounted cam means includes stop means limiting its travel.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said stop means includes a post extending from. said pivotally mounted cam means adapted to engage an aperture in a base member carrying said rotary switch means.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said manual actuator means includes a cap carried by said pivotally mounted cam means, said cap including actuator faces intersecting each other at an obtuse angle.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said rotary switch means includes spring loaded pivoting switch actuator means responsive to said pivotally mounted cam means.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said rotary switch means includes a pair of spring loaded spaced pivotally mounted tangs adapted to receive said cam lobes. 

1. In combination: a. a pair of rotary switch means, b. means selectively actuating said rotary switch means including pivotally mounted cam means having a pair of cam lobes cooperating with said rotary switch means, and c. manual actuator means coupled to said pivotally mounted cam means.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said pivotally mounted cam means includes stop means limiting its travel.
 3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said stop means includes a post extending from said pivotally mounted cam means adapted to engage an aperture in a base member carrying said rotary switch means.
 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said manual actuator means includes a cap carried by said pivotally mounted cam means, said cap including actuator faces intersecting each other at an obtuse angle.
 5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said rotary switch means includes spring loaded pivoting switch actuator means responsive to said pivotally mounted cam means.
 6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said rotary switch means includes a pair of spring loaded spaced pivotally mounted tangs adapted to receive said cam lobes. 